Cognitive Liberty and Harm Reduction

“Allowing individuals the freedom of thought and consciousness in a safe and responsible manner.”

The Center for Cognitive Liberty & Ethics (CCLE) was formed to advance the argument that true intellectual freedom includes control of one’s own awareness. The group defines cognitive liberty as “the right of each individual to think independently and autonomously, to use the full spectrum of his or her mind, and to engage in multiple modes of thought.”

Harm Reduction Psychotherapy is a non-judgmental approach to helping substance users reduce the negative impact of drugs and alcohol in their lives. It is based on the belief that each individual’s relationship with drugs and alcohol is different -substance abuse develops from a unique interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. It respects that people use drugs for a variety of reasons. It addresses the complex relationship that people develop with drugs and alcohol. Drug and alcohol issues are addressed simultaneously with social and occupational concerns and psychological and emotional issues.

I welcome all kinds of people into therapy, regardless of the status of their drug use, regardless of their primary concerns or goals. A person’s goals can range from complete abstinence to controlled or safer use. I believe that it’s not beneficial to treat all substance use the same with one blanket treatment plan or orientation. There is a huge difference between the functioning MMJ patient who uses marijuana to deal with anxiety and the alcoholic who has lost their job or family when they have hit bottom. Some people do not yet know what their substance use goals are, but they have a desire to improve their health, their relationships, and their functioning in the world and it’s good to have a safe place about it.

People have used drugs for a variety of reasons for thousands of years. In contemporary America, because we have declared a War on Drugs, decisions about substance use are the least talked about and the most difficult to make. As a clinician, I fully respect the strength, resilience and coping strategies that people have used in their lifelong decisions.

My treatment orientation welcomes people into therapy regardless of the status of their substance use or their goals for future use. I belong to a larger, international movement that advocates for humane risk reduction policies and accurate education about substance use.

I believe that there are many ways to change or manage substance use and my goal is to help reduce the negative impact of drugs and alcohol on individuals, their families and the community, regardless of the ultimate decision the client chooses to make.